Entry level? Hardly.

2017 Bentley Continental GT Research

What's New

The 2013 Bentley Continental will continue to be one of the more expensive cars on the market. However, with the addition of a new, V-8 powered "base" model, it will be slightly less expensive, and get much better fuel economy as well. A response to the recession, perhaps? Regardless, Bentley says the 500-hp V-8 powered Continental will hold up well against the W-12 powered Supersports, while still offering up all the luxury and road presence of, well, a Bentley.

Who It's For

"Well heeled" would cover the target audience for any Bentley. Also, "well coiffed," "well jacketed," "well housed," and so on. But for that money, Bentley offers up performance. Even in V-8 trim, the Continental promises outstanding performance, reaching 60 mph from a standstill in less than 5 seconds, and topping out at more than 180 mph. Bentley claims fuel economy will be up to 40 percent better than the W-12, which means city fuel economy around 17 mpg, and up to 27 mpg on the highway. Fuel-conscious super-rich? Here's your car.

Key Features

Visually there's little to distinguish this car from the rest of the Continental lineup. It's still big, still imposing and still projects an air of luxury and substance that few other cars can match at any price. The V-8 will get a glossy black grille, unique 20-inch wheels and "figure-eight shaped" exhaust tips, along with the engine of course.

What We Think

It's all a matter of degrees, when you stop to think about it. If you make $60,000 a year, for example, you might buy a Honda Accord Coupe. If you make $600,000 a year, you are more likely to think about putting this Bentley in your heated and fully finished garage instead. Is it a poor-guy's Bentley? No such thing exists. But it is a slightly less-rich-person's Bentley, and if you have the means, well, why not?